One transistor SOI non-volatile random access memory cell

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a memory cell, or more specifically, to a one-transistor SOI non-volatile memory cell. In various embodiments, the memory cell includes a substrate, a buried insulator layer formed on the substrate, and a transistor formed on the buried insulator layer. The transistor includes a floating body region that includes a charge trapping material. A memory state of the memory cell is determined by trapped charges or neutralized charges in the charge trapping material. The transistor further includes a first diffusion region and a second diffusion region to provide a channel region in the body region between the first diffusion region and the second diffusion region. The transistor further includes a gate insulator layer formed over the channel region, and a gate formed over the gate insulator layer. Other aspects are provided herein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional under 37 C.F.R. 1.153(b) of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/425,483 filed Apr. 29, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,888,200, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/232,846, filed on Aug. 30, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,917,078, which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

This application is related to the following commonly assigned U.S. patent applications which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

“Scalable Flash/NV Structures & Devices With Enhanced Endurance,” U.S. application Ser. No. 09/944,985, filed on Aug. 30, 2001;

“Stable PD-SOI Devices and Methods,” U.S. application Ser. No. 10/197,978, filed on Jul. 18, 2002;

“Gated Lateral Thyristor-Based Random Access Memory Cell (GLTRAM),” U.S. application Ser. No. 10/232,855, filed on Aug. 30, 2002; and

“One-Device Non-Volatile Random Access Memory Cell,” U.S. application Ser. No. 10/232,848, filed on Aug. 30, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to non-volatile, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) memory cells.

BACKGROUND

Known dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices include a switching transistor and an integrated storage capacitor tied to the storage node of the transistor. Incorporating a stacked capacitor or a trench capacitor in parallel with the depletion capacitance of the floating storage node enhances charge storage. Due to a finite charge leakage across the depletion layer, the capacitor is frequently recharged or refreshed to ensure data integrity in the DRAM device. Thus, such a DRAM device is volatile. A power failure causes permanent data loss in a DRAM device. DRAM devices are relatively inexpensive, power efficient, and fast compared to non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) devices.

A minimum capacitance per cell is required to sense a conventional DRAM cell. A significant challenge for every succeeding generation of reduced feature size is to provide this minimum capacitance per cell. A memory cell design goal is to achieve an 8F² DRAM cell. To that end, complex three-dimensional capacitor structures have been designed. However, these complex three-dimensional capacitor structures are difficult to manufacture and adversely impact yield. There has been serious concern of the scalability of the conventional DRAM cell beyond the 0.1 μm lithographic generation. The scaling problems have been aggravated by increased device short channel effects and leakages associated with complicated capacitor structures. Thus, the elimination of the stacked capacitor or trench capacitor in a DRAM cell is desirable.

A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) capacitor-less single-transistor DRAM cell has been proposed by S. Okhonin et al. The state of the floating body charge in the transistor affects the channel conductance of the transistor and defines the memory state (“1” or “0”) of the cell. Two methods for generating carriers in the body were proposed. The generated carriers are holes for the partially depleted (PD) SOI-NFET or electrons for the PD-SOI-PFET. One proposed method generates carriers using the drain-edge high field effect associated with impact ionization. In another case, the carriers are generated by the parasitic bipolar phenomenon.

The memory retention for these SOI capacitor-less single-transistor DRAM cells depends on the device channel length. That is, the stored charge retention time decreases with decreasing channel length. Additionally, the memory retention depends on recombination charge constants and multiple recombination mechanisms, and thus is expected to be both temperature and process sensitive. Therefore, controlling the memory retention between refresh operations is expected to be difficult.

Known non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), such as Flash, EPROM, EEPROM, etc., store charge using a floating gate or a floating plate. Charge trapping centers and associated potential wells are created by forming nano-particles of metals or semiconductors in a large band gap insulating matrix, or by forming nano-layers of metal, semiconductor or a small band gap insulator that interface with one or more large band gap insulating layers. The floating plate or gate can be formed as an integral part of the gate insulator stack of the switching transistor.

Field emission across the surrounding insulator causes the stored charge to leak. The stored charge leakage from the floating plate or floating gate is negligible for non-volatile memory devices because of the high band gap insulator. For example, silicon dioxide (SiO₂) has a 9 ev band gap, and oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) and other insulators have a band gap in the range of 4.5 ev to 9 ev. Thus, the memory device retains stored data throughout a device's lifetime.

However, there are problems associated with NVRAM devices. The writing process, also referred to as “write-erase programming,” for non-volatile memory is slow and energy inefficient, and requires complex high voltage circuitry for generating and routing high voltage. Additionally, the write-erase programming for non-volatile memory involves high-field phenomena (hot carrier or field emission) that degrades the surrounding insulator. The degradation of the insulator eventually causes significant leakage of the stored charge. Thus, the high-field phenomena negatively affects the endurance (the number of write/erase cycles) of the NVRAM devices. The number of cycles of writing and erasing is typically limited to 1E6 cycles. Therefore, the available applications for these known NVRAM devices is limited.

Floating plate non-volatile memory devices have been designed that use a gate insulator stack with silicon-rich insulators. In these devices, injected charges (electrons or holes) are trapped and retained in local quantum wells provided by nano-particles of silicon embedded in a matrix of a high band gap insulator (also referred to as a “trapless” or “limited trap” insulator) such as silicon dioxide (SiO₂) or silicon nitride (Si₃N₄). In addition to silicon trapping centers, other trapping centers include tungsten particles embedded in SiO₂, gold particles embedded in SiO₂, and a tungsten oxide layer embedded in SiO₂.

There is a need in the art to provide dense and high speed capacitor-less memory cells with data non-volatility similar to Flash devices and DRAM-like endurance as provided by the present subject matter.

SUMMARY

The above mentioned problems are addressed by the present subject matter and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. The present subject matter relates to non-volatile memory cells. In various embodiments, the memory cells are formed using one transistor. In various embodiments, the memory cell transistor is a fully-depleted SOI field effect transistor (FD-SOI-FET) transistor with a floating body that contains charge traps.

The present subject matter provides a binary memory state by trapping charges in the floating body to provide a first state and by neutralizing and/or de-trapping the trapped charges in the floating body to provide a second state. Both states are stable to provide non-volatility. Various embodiments provide a charge trapping region in the body of the transistor near the interface between the transistor body and the buried insulator, such as buried oxide (BOX). Various embodiments provide a charge trapping layer, such as a silicon-rich-nitride (SRN) layer, a silicon nitride or an oxynitride, at or near the BOX-body interface. The charges are neutralized by providing charges of opposite polarity into the transistor body. Charge retention is independent with respect to the device body length. The memory cell of the present subject matter is capable of long charge retention and non-volatility. Additionally, the memory cell of the present subject matter provides high density (4F²) and fast DRAM-like read-write capabilities.

One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a memory cell. In various embodiments, the memory cell includes a substrate, a buried insulator layer formed on the substrate, and a transistor formed on the buried insulator layer. The transistor includes a floating body region that includes a charge trapping material (or charge trapping region). A memory state of the memory cell is determined by trapped charges or neutralized charges in the charge trapping material. The transistor further includes a first diffusion region and a second diffusion region to provide a channel region in the body region between the first diffusion region and the second diffusion region. The transistor further includes a gate insulator layer formed over the channel region, and a gate formed over the gate insulator layer.

These and other aspects, embodiments, advantages, and features will become apparent from the following description of the present subject matter and the referenced drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an n-channel one transistor SOI non-volatile memory cell according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a p-channel one transistor SOI non-volatile memory cell according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first memory read scheme according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second memory read scheme according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 5 illustrates electrical waveforms associated with reading a memory state “1” and a memory state “0” according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIGS. 6A–6D illustrate a write operation for a memory cell in a FET mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIGS. 7A–7B illustrate an erase operation for a memory cell in a FET mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 8 illustrates electrical waveforms associated with writing and erasing a memory cell in a FET mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 9A–9B illustrate a lateral parasitic bipolar junction transistor (BJT) associated with a FET device in the memory cell according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIGS. 10A–10D illustrate a write operation for a memory cell in a parasitic BJT mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIGS. 11A–11B illustrate an erase operation for a memory cell in a parasitic BJT mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 12 illustrates electrical waveforms associated with writing and erasing a memory cell in a parasitic bipolar mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 13 is a simplified block diagram of a high-level organization of various embodiments of a memory device according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 14 is a simplified block diagram of a high-level organization of various embodiments of an electronic system according to the present subject matter.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing refractive index of silicon-rich silicon nitride films versus SiH₂Cl₂/NH₃ flow rate ratio.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing current density versus applied field for silicon-rich silicon nitride films having different percentages of excess silicon.

FIG. 17 is a graph showing flat band shift versus time at an applied field of 4×10⁶ volts/cm for silicon-rich silicon nitride films having varying percentages of excess silicon.

FIG. 18 is a graph showing flat band shift versus time at an applied field of 7×10⁶ volts/cm for silicon-rich silicon nitride films having varying percentages of excess silicon.

FIG. 19 is a graph showing apparent dielectric constant K versus refractive index for both Silicon Rich Nitride (SRN) and Silicon Rich Oxide (SRO).

FIG. 20 is a graph showing a linear correlation between the ratio of nitrogen over nitrogen plus oxygen in oxynitride films and the refractive index of these films.

FIG. 21 is a graph showing the etch rate of 7:1 buffered HF as a function of refractive index.

FIG. 22 is a graph showing low field conduction of silicon-oxynitride films as a function of refractive index in a current range.

FIG. 23 is a graph illustrating current density versus field of Si₃N₄ and Si_(x)OyNz and showing charge transport for the entire field filed range for nitride, Si₂ON₂ oxynitride, and oxygen-rich oxynitride.

FIGS. 24A–24C illustrate a one transistor SOY non-volatile memory cell with a sidewall charge trapping region according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. The various embodiments of the present subject matter are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. In the following description, the terms wafer and substrate are interchangeably used to refer generally to any structure on which integrated circuits are formed, and also to such structures during various stages of integrated circuit fabrication. Both terms include doped and undoped semiconductors, epitaxial layers of a semiconductor on a supporting semiconductor or insulating material, combinations of such layers, as well as other such structures that are known in the art. The term “horizontal” as used in this application is defined as a plane parallel to the conventional plane or surface of a wafer or substrate, regardless of the orientation of the wafer or substrate. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as defined above. Prepositions, such as “on”, “side” (as in sidewall), “higher”, “lower”, “over” and “under” are defined with respect to the conventional plane or surface being on the top surface of the wafer or substrate, regardless of the orientation of the wafer or substrate. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The present subject matter relates to a one transistor, non-volatile memory cell. The memory cell is formed using silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. In various embodiments, the memory cell transistor is a partially-depleted SOI field effect transistor (PD-SOI-FET) with a floating body that contains charge traps. In various embodiments, the memory cell transistor is a fully-depleted SOI field effect transistor (FD-SOI-FET) with a floating body that contains charge traps: However, various embodiments of the present subject matter include other floating body transistors.

The one transistor SOI memory cell of the present subject matter achieves high density (4F²), has fast DRAM-like read/write capabilities, and has high-retention and non-volatility. A binary yet stable memory state is provided by trapping charges in the floating body of the PD-SOI transistor, and by neutralizing (or discharging) the charges trapped in the floating body. In various embodiments, the trapped charge is neutralized by injecting charge of opposite polarity into the body. The state of the memory cell is read by sensing the channel conductance of the cell transistor to determine if the cell transistor is in a charged state or a neutralized state, which can be defined as a logic or memory state “1”, and a logic or memory state “0”. For example, the memory cell state is determined by sensing the change in the device current that is associated with the trapped stored-charge.

The present subject matter generates carriers in a floating body of the PD-SOI transistor, and traps the carriers in the floating body using charge traps. The binary memory state is provided by trapping charges in the floating body and by neutralizing the trapped charge in the floating body. In various embodiments, the charge traps are provided by a charge trapping layer in the floating body. According to various embodiments, the charge trapping layer includes silicon-rich-nitride (SRN). The trapped carriers are neutralized by generating and injecting charges of opposite polarity. The concept is also applicable to FD-SOI transistors. Additionally, the trapping of carriers could also be achieved in any region of the floating body other than in the immediate vicinity of the channel region. For example, in various embodiments, the charge trapping regions are formed alone one or more of the body sidewalls. An example of a sidewall charge trapping rejon is shown in and described with respect to FIGS. 24A–24C.

According to various embodiments, the memory cell provides an energy barrier for the stored charge in the order of 1 ev or less. Thus, for various embodiments, the memory cell is capable of having long charge retention for both the charged state and the neutralized state. The charge retention is independent of the channel length. This long charge retention provides the memory cell with a non-volatile characteristic. The degree of non-volatility can be altered by altering the trapping material and thereby modifying the energy barrier (trapped energy depth). Therefore, various embodiments have an appropriate trapping material to provide a non-volatile random access memory, and various embodiments have an appropriate trapping material to provide a non-volatile write once, read only memory.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, upon reading and understanding this disclosure, that the present subject matter provides a number of benefits. These benefits include inexpensive and dense memories. The memory cell (4F²) of the present invention is twice as dense as a conventional DRAM (8F²). Another benefit is non-volatility, thus eliminating the need to refresh the state of the memory cell. Another benefit of the present subject matter is that the memory cell of the present subject matter is energy efficient. Another benefit is that the present subject matter provides DRAM-like endurance within a non-volatile memory cell because the non-volatile memory cell of the present subject matter is capable of undergoing a large number of write/erase cycles.

Memory Cell Structure

FIG. 1 illustrates an n-channel one transistor SOI non-volatile memory cell according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. The memory cell 100 is formed on a substrate 102, such as a silicon substrate, for example. The illustration includes a substrate contact 104 to contact the substrate 102. The memory cell 100 is isolated from the substrate 102 via a buried insulator, such as a buried oxide (BOX) layer 106, and from other devices via shallow trench isolation (STI) regions 108.

A PD-SOI NFET 110 is illustrated. The transistor 110 includes a floating body region 112, a first diffusion region 114, and a second diffusion region 116. A channel region 118 is formed in the body region 112 between the first and second diffusion regions 114 and 116. With respect to the illustrated n-channel FET, the body region 112 is doped with p-type impurities, and the first and second diffusion regions 114 and 116 are doped with n+ impurities. The illustrated memory cell 100 includes a bit line contact or drain contact 120 connected to the first diffusion region 114, and a source line contact 122 connected to the second diffusion region 116. A gate 124, such as a polysilicon gate, is separated from the channel region 118 by a gate insulator region 126. The illustrated memory cell 100 includes a word line contact or gate contact 128 connected to the gate 124.

Unlike conventional FET devices, the body region 112 of the illustrated FET device includes a charge trapping region 130. Relatively simple fabrication techniques can be used to incorporate the charge trapping region in the body region. However, as one of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, the incorporation of the charge trapping region 130 significantly improves scalability and functionality without complex fabrication techniques.

The location of the charge trapping region 130 in the body region 112 can be varied. In various embodiments, the location the charge trapping region 130 is on or near the BOX-body interface. In other embodiments, the charge trapping region 130 is located elsewhere in the body region 112,including the sidewall of the body region, at a sufficient depth such that it will not interfere with conductance. For example, various embodiments of the present subject matter position the charge trapping region 130 in the body region 112 at a depth below 200–300 Å (20–30 nm) from the surface where the charge flows.

The charge trapping region 130 provides localized quantum wells that are initially neutral. These neutral wells attract charges and maintain the charge species. Thus, charge traps are distinguished from recombination centers, which have been proposed in a body region to assist with the recombination of charges. Unlike the charge trapping regions, a recombination center provides a charged localized quantum well. The charged well attracts opposite charges which recombine to facilitate charge neutrality.

One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that the charge trapping region is capable of being tailored to provide the device with desired characteristics. For example, various embodiments of the present subject matter are designed to repeatedly trap and de-trap charges in the charge trapping region so as to form a non-volatile random access memory. Various embodiments provide a charge trapping region with deep traps, and are designed to form a non-volatile, write once, read only memory.

In various embodiments, the charge trapping function of the charge trapping region 130 is provided by a charge trapping layer. According to various embodiments, the charge trapping layer includes a silicon-rich-insulator (SRI) layer, such as a silicon-rich-nitride (SRN) or silicon-rich-oxide (SRO) layer, for example. SRI, SRN and SRO are described with respect to FIGS. 15–19 below in the section entitled Silicon Rich Insulators. According to various embodiments, the charge trapping layer includes nitride, oxynitrides, metal oxides, metal silicides, composites such as oxide-nitride or oxide-alumina, or laminates such as oxide-nitride or oxide-alumina or other material that functions as a charge trapping layer. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that many other materials or combination of layers may be selected that provide the desired energy barriers, and thus provide the desired charge trapping characteristics.

As will be described in more detail below, positive charges (holes) are generated in the PD-SOI NFET due to impact ionization at the drain edge and alters the floating body potential. In this embodiment a part of these charges are trapped by the charge trapping region 130 (e.g. SRN layer) in the body region 112. The trapped charges effect the threshold voltage (V_(T)), and thus the channel conductance, of the PD-SOI-FET. According to various embodiments, the source current (I_(S)) of the PD-SOI-FET is used to determine if charges are trapped in the body region, and thus is used to determine the logic state of the memory cell.

FIG. 2 illustrates a p-channel one transistor SOI non-volatile memory cell according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. One of ordinary skill in the art, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, will understand the structural similarities between the PD-SOI-PFET device and the PD-SOI-NFET device. Some of these structural similarities are not addressed again here for the purpose of simplifying the disclosure.

With respect to the illustrated PD-SOI-PFET, the body region 212 is doped with n-type impurities, and the first and second diffusion regions 214 and 216 are doped with p+ impurities. Negative charges (electrons) are generated in the PD-SOI-PFET at the drain edge and alters the floating body potential. A part of these charges are trapped by the charge trapping region 230 (e.g. SRN layer) in the body region 212. The trapped charges affect the threshold voltage (V_(T)), and thus the channel conductance, of the PD-SOI-PFET in a similar fashion to the PD-SOI-NFET. According to various embodiments, the source current (I_(S)) of the PD-SOI-PFET is used to determine if charges are trapped in the body region, and thus is used to determine the logic state of the memory cell.

In order to simplify this disclosure, memory cells containing PD-SOI-NFET devices are illustrated and described. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that the present subject matter is not limited to PD-SOI-NFET devices and could be extended to PD-SOI-PFET devices and to both NFET and PFET FD-SOI devices.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first memory read scheme according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. In the illustrated system 332, the state of the cell 300 is sensed using a direct cell-current sense amplifier scheme. The memory cell 300 is connected to the current sense circuitry 334, which is used to sense the source current (I_(S)), and thus the state of the memory cell 300. The schematic of the memory cell illustrates a capacitive coupling between the substrate and the PD-SOI-NFET of the memory cell. As shown in FIG. 1, the BOX layer 106 forms a dielectric between the substrate 102 and the body region 112. Aside from the gate-body and body substrate capacitance 333 shown in FIG. 3, an additional series capacitance 335 is associated with the charge-trapping region. The charge trapping characteristics is illustrated by dotted lines in the capacitor 335.

The direct cell-current sense amplifier scheme can be compared to the sensing schemes associated with static random access memory (SRAM). One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that the memory cell can be designed and the performance of the memory cell specified such that the direct cell-current sense amplifier scheme can be used.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second memory read scheme according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. In the illustrated system 432, the state of the cell 400 is sensed using a reference cell 436 and a current mode differential sense amplifier scheme. This scheme can be compared to the sensing schemes associated with dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Both the memory cell 400 and the reference cell 436 are connected to the current sense circuitry 434, which is used to compare the source current (I_(S)) of the memory cell 400 with the current (I_(REF)) of the reference cell 436 to determine the state of the memory cell 400.

FIG. 5 illustrates electrical waveforms associated with reading a memory state “1” and a memory state “0” according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. For the illustrated read operations, a positive gate voltage (V_(G)) and a positive drain voltage (V_(D)) are applied while the substrate voltage is held at a reference voltage (e.g. ground). One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that the terms positive and negative are relative terms with respect to the reference voltage.

When the memory cell is in a memory state “1” in which holes are stored in the charge trapping region within the floating body of the PD-SOI NFET device, the threshold of the device decreases resulting in a higher source current (I_(S)), represented generally at 538. When the memory cell is in a memory state “0” in which the stored holes are neutralized in the floating body of the PD-SOI NFET device, the threshold of the device increases resulting in a lower source current (I_(S)), represented generally at 540. The difference between the source current in the memory state “1” can be two to three orders of magnitude greater than the source current in the memory state “0”.

Memory Cell Operation

The one transistor SOI non-volatile memory cell of the present subject exploits the body charging associated with the excess carriers in the body (also referred to as floating body effect) of PD-SOI devices to store information. Part of the excess carriers in the floating body gets trapped and stored in the charge trapping layer in the body. This trapped stored charge in the transistor body affects the threshold voltage (V_(T)). A lower threshold voltage (V_(T)) increases the source current (I_(S)) of the transistor, and a higher threshold voltage (V_(T)) decreases the source current (I_(S)). The source current (I_(S)) of the memory cell transistor is used to determine the state of the memory cell.

There are a number of ways in which to generate the excess charge in a PD-SOI transistor. A first method for generating charge in PD-SOI transistors involves impact ionization in a field effect transistor (FET) operational mode. A second method for generating charge in PD-SOI transistors involves a relatively low field parasitic bipolar junction transistor turn-on mode. These methods for generating charge are described in detail below with respect to a memory operation embodiment for n-channel FET devices. The excess charge for the NFET devices are holes. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, how to generate complementary charge (electrons) using the high field impact ionization mode and the relatively low field parasitic bipolar transistor mode for p-channel FET devices.

FET Mode of Operation

The FET operational mode for generating charges in the body of a PD-SOI transistor involves high field impact ionization at the drain edge of the FET device. In various embodiments, the generated positive charge in the body region of the PD-SOI-NFET device is directed toward the charge traps in the body region by providing an appropriate electromotive force (EMF) field vertical (or normal) to the FET channel. The EMF field is provided by applying an appropriate voltage difference between the gate and the substrate.

FIGS. 6A–6D illustrate a write operation for a memory cell in a FET mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. In the FET operational mode, a high positive drain voltage pulse is applied when the word line is held high such that the transistor operates in saturation (FIG. 6A). An excess of positive body charge 642 is created near the drain region due to the impact ionization mechanism associated with the device operation in saturation (FIG. 6B). A negative substrate voltage pulse is applied (FIG. 6C) in a timely sequence after the positive charge is generated by the impact ionization mechanism. The negative substrate voltage provides a EMF field across the body region which causes the generated holes 642 to drift toward the charge trapping region 630 (FIG. 6D). In various embodiments, the charge trapping region 630 includes a layer of SRN near the BOX/body interface. In this state, the raised positive body potential lowers the threshold voltage (V_(T)) of the transistor.

FIGS. 7A–7B illustrate an erase operation for a memory cell in an NFET-SOI mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. A negative drain voltage pulse is applied to create an excess negative charge in the body. Additionally, a positive substrate voltage is applied in a timely sequence. An EMF field 748 is thereby set up from the substrate to the gate to attract the excess electrons toward the charge trapping region 730 which then neutralizes the trapped holes in the charge trapping region. The neutralization of the previously trapped positive charge lowers the body potential and consequently raises the threshold voltage (V_(T)) of the transistor.

FIG. 8 illustrates electrical waveforms associated with writing and erasing a memory cell in a FET mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. A write 1 operation for a PD-SOI-NFET device involves generating excess holes and trapping the holes in the trapping layer of the body region of the device. The positive gate voltage pulse and the large drain voltage pulse, shown within the dotted line 850, causes the PD-SOI-NFET to turn on and operate in a saturated mode. An excess of positive charges (holes) are generated in the PD-SQl-N FET body due to impact ionization at the drain edge. The excess holes generated by impact ionization are directed toward the charge trapping region due to the EMF field associated with the large negative substrate voltage pulse sequentially imposed in relationship of 850 and shown within the dotted line 852. The application of the larae negative substrate voltage pulse enhances the speed of charge trapping, but it is not essential for charge trapping or cell operation and is therefore optional.

According to various embodiments, a write 0 operation, also referred to as an erase operation, for the PD-SOI-NFET device involves neutralizing the trapped holes with electrons generated in the body region of the device. Electrons are generated in the body region by forward biasing the p-n+ junction using a negative drain pulse and a positive substrate pulse, shown within the dotted line 854. The generated electrons drift toward the charge trapping region, where the electrons neutralize the stored holes. The positive substrate pulse, which is desirable but not essential, extends for a duration longer than the negative drain pulse to provide an EMF field across the body that enhances the drift of the generated electrons toward the charge trapping region.

Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) Mode of Operation

The lateral parasitic Bipolar Transistor mode for generating charges in the body of a PD-SOI transistor involves a relatively low field mechanism. The n-channel FET device includes a parasitic lateral NPN bipolar junction transistor (BJT). Various voltages are applied to the memory cell to cause the NPN transistor to generate positive charges (holes). In various embodiments, the generated positive charge is directed toward the charge trapping region in the body region by providing an appropriate electromotive force (EMF) field across the body by applying an appropriate voltage difference between the gate and the substrate.

FIG. 9A–9B illustrate a lateral parasitic bipolar junction transistor (BJT) associated with a FET device in the memory cell according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. The PD-SOI-NFET transistor 910 includes a parasitic NPN transistor 956, as illustrated in FIG. 9A. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, how to apply the teachings contained herein to a parasitic lateral PNP transistor in a PD-SOI-PFET transistor.

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of the memory cell of the present subject matter, and generally illustrates the parasitic BJT 956 in the PD-SOI-NFET transistor 910. The substrate 902 is capacitively coupled across the BOX layer 906 to the body region 912 of the NFET transistor, which also functions as the base of the parasitic NPN transistor. The body region 912 includes charge trapping region 930, such as an SRN charge trapping layer, for example. For clarity, the body-substrate capacitor in the embodiment consists of two series capacitors: the trapping layer capacitor and the BOX capacitor between the body and the substrate, as shown.

FIGS. 10A–10D illustrate a write operation for a memory cell in a parasitic BJT mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. A negative gate pulse is applied, and a negative drain pulse (having a shorter duration than the gate pulse) is applied during the negative gate pulse (FIG. 10A). The gate voltage is capacitively coupled simultaneously to the source and the body region while forward biasing the p-n+ junction between the body region 1012 and the drain diffusion region 1014. In this condition, the lateral NPN transistor action generates excess holes 1057 near the drain region 1014 of the PD-SOI-NFET (FIG. 10B). As the gate pulse returns to ground, the substrate is pulsed negative (FIG. 10C). This negative substrate pulse provides an additional a vertical drift field 1058 through the body from the gate to the substrate (FIG. 10D). The vertical drift field 1058 enhances the drift of the generated holes 1057 toward the charge trapping 1030 in the body of the transistor. The negative substrate pulse is desirable but not essential for charge trapping or operation Thus, the charge trapping region stores at least a portion of the hole charges generated in the body region.

FIGS. 11A–11B illustrate an erase operation for a memory cell in a parasitic BJT mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. The drain-body diode (n+-p) is forward biased by providing a negative drain pulse and a positive substrate pulse (FIG. 11 A). The forward biased diode generates electrons 1146 in the body region (FIG. 11 B). The gate is kept at a constant low positive potential as the substrate pulse is applied. The applied substrate pulse overlaps the negative drain pulse. The positive substrate voltage creates a stronger vertical drift field 1148 to enhance movement of the generated electrons 1146 toward the charge traps, which neutralizes the trapped holes in the body region of the PD-SOI NFET device (FIG. 11B). The substrate pulse is desirable to enhance the speed of operation, but is not essential for neutralizing the trapped holes or cell operation.

FIG. 12 illustrates electrical waveforms associated with writing and erasing a memory cell in a parasitic BJT mode of operation according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. A write 1 operation for a PD-SOI NFET device involves generating holes and trapping the holes in body region of the device. The negative gate voltage pulse and the large negative drain voltage pulse, shown within the dotted line 1260, causes the parasitic bipolar transistor to generate holes in the body region of the PD-SOI NFET. It is noted that the negative gate voltage pulse capacitively couples both the source and the body region, and the body region functions as the base of the parasitic BJT transistor. The body-drain junction is forward biased because the drain voltage is more negative than the gate voltage. Near the end of the gate voltage pulse, a large negative substrate voltage pulse, shown within the dotted line 1262, provides an enhanced EMF field that directs the generated holes toward the charge trapping region.

A write 0 operation, also referred to as an erase operation, for the PD-SOI NFET device involves neutralizing the trapped holes with electrons generated in the body region of the device. A small positive voltage, illustrated by the dotted line 1264, is applied to the gate. Electrons are generated in the body region by forward biasing the p-n+ junction using a negative drain pulse and a positive substrate pulse, shown within the dotted line 1266. The electron drift is toward the charge traps, where the electrons neutralize the stored holes. The positive substrate pulse extends for a duration longer than the negative drain pulse, allowing the substrate pulse and the gate potential to provide an EMF field that assists the drift of the generated electrons toward the charge centers of the charge trapping region (charge trapping layer).

The following table provides one example of a BJT mode of operation in which Vdd=2.5 V.

BIT WORD OPERATION LINE LINE SUBSTRATE REMARKS Write “1” −2.5 V −1.7 V −2.5 V Holes are 1–5 ns 2–10 ns 2–10 ns generated in the body and are trapped in the trapping layer. V_(T) is reduced by 200 mV. Write “0” −2.5 V  0.8 V  2.5 V Electrons are 1–5 ns 2–10 ns generated in the body and neutralize the trapped holes. V_(T) returns to original value. Half-Select  0.3 V As above. As above. No change. Cells Read “1”  0.3 V  0.8 V Gnd Current is 2–3 orders of magnitude higher. Read “0”  0.3 V  0.8 V Gnd Current is lower. Device threshold is designed to put the device in subthreshold operation for a Read “0” operation. Scalability of Memory Cell

According to various embodiments, the memory cell is fully scalable. The functionality of the memory cell is independent of the feature size. The cell density directly benefits from the reduction in feature size. Additionally, contrary to the characteristics of the conventional DRAM cell, this memory cell improves in functionality and characteristics as the feature size is reduced due to the following reasons. One reason is that the device short channel effect improves due to the reduction in the volume of neutral region of the body and due to the “narrow-width-effect” that raises the “base” threshold of the device. Another reason is that charge trapping efficiency is improved due to the increase in carrier energy of the excess carriers as the body volume is reduced. The device leakage is also reduced due to both of these reasons. Additionally, trapped charges extend the body depletion regions, reducing device parasitic capacitance. This further improves intrinsic device switching speed. Furthermore, the concept is not limited to PD-SOI FETs, but is extendable to FD-SOI FETs as well.

System Level

FIG. 13 is a simplified block diagram of a high-level organization of various embodiments of a memory device according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. The illustrated memory device 1368 includes a memory array 1370 and read/write control circuitry 1372 to perform operations on the memory array via communication line(s) 1374.

The memory array 1370 includes a number of one transistor SOI non-volatile memory cells 1300 as described above. Although the illustrated memory cells 1300 include PD-SOI NFET devices, the present subject matter is not limited to PD-SOI-NFET devices. The memory cells in the array are arranged in rows and columns. In various embodiments, word lines connect the memory cells in the rows, and bit lines connect the memory cells in the columns. According to various embodiments, the memory cells in the array are formed in a single substrate. According to various embodiments, the substrate for one or more memory cells is isolated from the substrate(s) for other memory cells. Thus, these embodiments provide the ability to provide different substrate voltages to different portions of the memory array.

The read/write control circuitry 1372 includes word line select and power circuitry 1374, which functions to select a desired row and to provide a desired power signal or pulse to the selected row. The read/write control circuitry 1372 further includes bit line select and power circuitry 1376, which functions to select a desired column and to provide a desired power signal or pulse to the selected column. The read/write control circuitry 1372 further includes substrate potential control circuitry 1378 which functions to provide a desired power signal or pulse to the substrate. According to various embodiments in which the memory array includes a number of isolated substrates, the substrate potential control circuitry 1378 also functions to select a desired substrate to which the desired power signal or pulse is applied. The read/write control circuitry 1372 further includes read circuitry 1380, which functions to detect a memory state for a selected memory cell in the memory array 1370. According to various embodiments, the read circuitry 1380 uses a direct cell-current sense amplifier scheme such as that illustrated in FIG. 3. According to various embodiments, the read circuitry 1380 uses a reference cell and a current mode differential sense amplifier scheme such as that illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 14 is a simplified block diagram of a high-level organization of various embodiments of an electronic system according to the present subject matter. In various embodiments, the system 1400 is a computer system, a process control system or other system that employs a processor and associated memory. The electronic system 1400 has functional elements, including a processor or arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) 1402, a control unit 1404, a memory device unit 1406 and an input/output (I/O) device 1408. Generally such an electronic system 1400 will have a native set of instructions that specify operations to be performed on data by the processor 1402 and other interactions between the processor 1402, the memory device unit 1406 and the I/O devices 1408. The control unit 1404 coordinates all operations of the processor 1402, the memory device 1406 and the I/O devices 1408 by continuously cycling through a set of operations that cause instructions to be fetched from the memory device 1406 and executed. According to various embodiments, the memory device 1406 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM) devices, read-only memory (ROM) devices, and peripheral devices such as a floppy disk drive and a compact disk CD-ROM drive. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, any of the illustrated electrical components are capable of being fabricated to include one-transistor, non-volatile SOI memory cells in accordance with the present subject matter.

The illustration of the system 1400 is intended to provide a general understanding of one application for the structure and circuitry of the present subject matter, and is not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of an electronic system using one-transistor, SOI non-volatile memory cells according to the present subject matter. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, such an electronic system can be fabricated in single-package processing units, or even on a single semiconductor chip, in order to reduce the communication time between the processor and the memory device.

Applications containing one-transistor, SOI non-volatile memory cells, as described in this disclosure, include electronic systems for use in memory modules, device drivers, power modules, communication modems, processor modules, and application-specific modules, and may include multilayer, multichip modules. Such circuitry can further be a subcomponent of a variety of electronic systems, such as a clock, a television, a cell phone, a personal computer, an automobile, an industrial control system, an aircraft, and others.

Silicon Rich Insulators as Charge Trapping Layer

According to various embodiments of the present subject matter, a silicon-rich-insulator (SRI), such a silicon-rich-nitride (SRN) or silicon-rich-oxide (SRO), is used to provide charge traps in the body region of PD-SOI-FET devices. In various embodiments, a layer of SRI is formed in the body region near an interface between the body region and the BOX layer. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that FIGS. 15–19 further describe SRI material.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing refractive index of silicon-rich silicon nitride films versus SiH₂Cl₂/NH₃ flow rate ratio (R). This graph is provided herein to illustrate the relationship between the silicon amount and the refractive index. The graph indicates that the index of refraction increases linearly with increasing silicon content. As such, the index of refraction of the films can be used as an indication of the silicon content of the films.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing current density versus applied field for silicon-rich silicon nitride films having different percentages of excess silicon. The current density (J) is represented in amperes/cm², and log J is plotted against the electric field E (volts/cm) for Si₃N₄ layers having a SiH₂Cl₂/NH₃ flow rate ratio R of 0.1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 31. This graph is provided herein to illustrate the relationship between the amount of silicon and the conductivity of the film. The plot shows that the Si₃N₄ layers having small additions of silicon (R=3 and 5) exhibit a relatively small conductivity increase over stoichiometric Si₃N₄. The plot further shows that increasing silicon content at or above R=10 substantially increases or enhances the conductivity.

FIGS. 17 and 18 provide graphs that illustrate the relationship between the flatband shift and applied fields for films having varying percentages of excess silicon as represented by the SiH₂Cl₂/NH₃ flow rate ratio R. FIG. 17 is a graph showing flatband shift versus time at an applied field of 4×10⁶ volts/cm for silicon-rich silicon nitride films having varying percentages of excess silicon. For R=3, the flatband shift is greater than the shifts produced by films having an R of 0. 1, 10 or 15. The film having an R of 10 provides a greater flatband shift than a film having an R of 15. FIG. 18 is a graph showing flatband shift versus time at an applied field of 7×10⁶ volts/cm for silicon-rich silicon nitride films having varying percentages of excess silicon. The flatband shift produced by the R=3 film is even greater than that shown in FIG. 17, while the shifts produced by the R=10 and R=15 films do not change as appreciably. FIGS. 17 and 18 are provided to illustrate the characteristics of a charge storing medium and a more conductive charge injector medium as further explained below.

The graphs of FIGS. 15–18, which were described above, indicate that at low additional silicon content, silicon-rich Si₃N₄ films function as a charge storing medium as they exhibit appreciably enhanced trapping characteristics (as shown by the high flatband shifts at moderate and high applied electric fields in FIGS. 17 and 18, respectively) without exhibiting appreciably enhanced conductivity characteristics as shown in FIG. 15.

Silicon-rich silicon nitride films deposited at an R of 3 or 5 (for a refractive index of 2.10 and 2.17, respectively) will possess a charge storing function or property normally provided by a polysilicon floating gate of a EEPROM cell. In general, silicon-rich nitride films having an R greater than 0.1 and less than 10 (or, more specifically, having an index of refraction between approximately 2.10 and 2.30) will provide appreciably enhanced charge trapping or charge storing properties without providing appreciably enhanced charge conduction. This charge trapping is characteristic of a charge storing medium that can be used as a charge trapping material in the present subject matter.

Silicon-rich nitride films having an R greater than 10 (or, more specifically, having an index of refraction greater than 2.3) are referred to as an injector medium. A silicon-rich Si₃N₄ (SRN) injector provides appreciably enhanced charge conductance without providing appreciably enhanced charge trapping over stoichiometric Si₃N₄. This is illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, which shows progressively reduced flatband shifts for R=10 and R=15 with progressively increased conduction.

FIG. 19 is a graph showing apparent dielectric constant K versus refractive index for both Silicon Rich Nitride (SRN) and Silicon Rich Oxide (SRO). The SRN and SRO plotted in this graph were provided using a Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (LPCVD) process. The SRO was fabricated at approximately 680° C., and the fabricated structure included 100 Å oxide and 150 Å SRO. The SRN was fabricated at approximately 770° C., and the fabricated structure included 45 Å oxide and 80 Å SRN. As shown in the graph, the dielectric constant of silicon is around 12. Materials with a higher K than silicon are conventionally termed a high K material, and materials with a lower K than silicon are conventionally termed a low K material. SRN that has a refractive index of 2.5 or greater and SRO that has a refractive index of 1.85 or greater have apparent dielectric constants that are greater than 12. Injector SRI includes these high K SRO and high K SRN. Charge-centered SRI includes low K SRO and low K SRN.

Memory Cell Fabrication Using Charge Trapping SRI Layer

The processing of the memory cell of the present subject matter involves standard processing associated with PD-SOI device fabrication. The channel implant is adjusted to appropriately tailor the FET threshold. According to various embodiments, the BOX-body interface includes a trapping layer, such as an SRI layer.

Various embodiments create the trapping layer using the following process. Standard processing steps are performed through the shallow trench isolation (STI). A block mask is applied to device and open the active retention of the FET device. In these embodiments, the FET device is an NFET device, but the present subject matter is not limited to NFET devices. Silicon, ammonia (NH₃), and optionally hydrogen are ion implanted with an appropriate energy and concentration to achieve a desired refractive index after post processing anneal. In various embodiments, ammonia is replaced by active nitrogen. In various embodiments silicon is replaced by other active silicon sources such as silane, dichlorosilane, and the like. A post-implant inert anneal is performed. According to various embodiments, the anneal includes a rapid thermal anneal (RTA). According to various embodiments, the anneal includes an inert plasma anneal in nitrogen. Standard PD-SOI CMOS fabrication steps are capable of being performed thereafter to complete the fabrication of the memory cell.

Silicon Nitride and Oxynitrides as Charge Trapping Layer

In various embodiments, the charge trapping layer includes stoichiometric nitride (Si₃N₄). One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, how to form a Si₃N₄ layer at a desired location at or near the box region using thermal recombination, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), as well as by ion implantation of reactive elements followed by an appropriate anneal. Memory cells can be fabricated using charge trapping Si₃N₄ in a manner similar to that described above for SRI.

In various embodiments, the charge trapping layer includes oxynitrides. A brief description of oxynitride film materials follows since oxynitrides can be readily used as charge trapping layers. In various embodiments, oxynitrides are formed by incorporating nitrogen into stoichiometric silicon dioxide (SiO₂). In various embodiments, oxynitrides are formed by incorporating oxygen into Si₃N₄. In various embodiments, oxynitrides are formed by incorporating oxygen and nitrogen in silicon. In various embodiments, oxynitrides are formed by combining appropriate reactive sources of silicon, oxygen and nitrogen using a variety of techniques such as thermal recombination, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), ion implantation and the like. In various embodiments, the nitrogen is implanted directly into the BOX region to form the oxynitride trapping layer. In various embodiments, oxygen and nitrogen or appropriate sources of oxygen and nitrogen are implanted into the active silicon region above the BOX region to form the oxynitride trapping layer.

The author pioneered the development of oxynitride films during his investigations in 1975–76. Oxynitride films vary in composition in relative nitrogen to oxygen ratios from the extreme stoichiometric range of SiO₂ of zero nitrogen content to the other extreme of stoichiometric nitride of Si₃N₄ of zero oxygen content. A physical property of an oxynitride film, such as the refractive index (ν) of the oxynitride film, can be correlated to the concentration of oxygen, nitrogen and silicon in such a film. Auger analysis of such films are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Ref. Concentration (a/o) Calculated Index O N Si Formula n_(N) + n_(O) n_(N)/(n_(N) + n_(O)) 1.91 6.9 49.8 43.0 Si O_(0.161) N_(1.159) 1.320 0.88 1.89 12.0 50.4 37.7 Si O_(0.318) N_(1.338) 1.656 0.81 1.87 12.6 48.6 38.6 Si O_(0.327) N_(1.261) 1.588 0.79 1.84 20.8 41.0 38.1 Si O_(0.546) N_(1.077) 1.623 0.66 1.74 28.1 32.4 39.4 Si O_(0.714) N_(0.821) 1.535 0.54 1.65 43.7 17.6 38.6 Si O_(1.132) N_(0.457) 1.589 0.29 1.60 45.5 19.7 34.8 Si O_(1.305) N_(0.565) 1.870 0.30 I_(Si)/I_(O) ratio (in SiO₂) = 0.169 I_(Si)/I_(N) ratio (in Si₃N₄) = 0.501

The ratio of nitrogen over nitrogen plus oxygen in oxynitride films can be directly and linearly correlated with the refractive indices of such films. This is shown in FIG. 20, which is a graph showing a linear correlation between the ratio of nitrogen over nitrogen plus oxygen in oxynitride films and the refractive index of these films. The entire range from SiO₂ (refractive index of 1.47) and Si₃N₄ (refractive index of 2.0) is shown. Chemical properties such as etch rate in 7:1 buffered HF can also be correlate with the oxynitride films. FIG. 21 is a graph showing the etch rate of 7:1 buffered HF as a function of refractive index. Charge transport and trappings of oxynitride films vary significantly with composition which can be conveniently characterized by the refractive indices. FIG. 22 is a graph showing low field conduction of silicon-oxynitride films as a function of refractive index in a relatively low field current range, and FIG. 23 is a graph illustrating current density versus field of Si₃N₄ and Si_(X)O_(Y)N_(Z) and showing charge transport for the entire filed range for nitride, Si₂ON₂ oxynitride, and oxygen-rich oxynitride.

The author had also investigated charge trapping probability of oxynitride films as a function of refractive indices. It has been found that trapped charge density for electrons and holes peaks in the range of compositions between refractive index of 1.8 to 1.9. The range of compositions of films covering refractive index between 1.75 to 1.9 could be considered for trapping layer for various embodiments of the present invention. It was also found that below the refractive index of 1.75, charge trapping decreases with increasing oxygen concentration. The trap energy depth, which affects the charge retention, also varies with the composition of oxynitride. Memory cells can be fabricated using charge trapping oxynitride in a manner similar to that described above for SRI.

Charge trapping layers that include Si₃N₄ and charge trapping layers have been described above. A benefit of these charge trapping layers is that these layers can be formed using common and relatively simple semiconductor processes.

Other Charge Trapping Layers

Although SRI layers are specifically cited as “charge trapping layers,” many other charge trapping materials are used as a charge trapping medium in many other embodiments. For example, metal oxides (including transition-metal-oxides), metal silicides and composites or laminates (such as a combination of silicon oxynitride, oxide nitride or oxide-alumina) can be used to form charge trapping layers. Nanovoids also can be used to form charge trapping layers. These examples are not intended to be an exhaustive list of the number of ways to form charge trapping layers that can be used according to the present subject matter. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such layers are incorporated by appropriate fabrication processes.

Sidewall Charge Trading Region

FIGS. 24A–24C illustrate a one transistor SOI non-volatile memory cell with a sidewall charge trapping region according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. The memory cell embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24A generally corresponds to the memory cells illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The memory cell is formed on a substrate 2402, such as a silicon substrate, for example. The memory cell is isolated from the substrate 2402 via a buried insulator, such as a buried oxide (BOX) layer 2406, and from other devices via shallow trench isolation (STI) regions 2408. The illustrated transistor includes a floating body region 2412, a first diffusion region 2414, and a second diffusion region 2416. A channel region 2418 is formed in the body region 2412 between the first and second diffusion regions 2414 and 2416. The illustrated memory cell includes a bit line contact or drain contact connected to the first diffusion region 2414, and a source line contact connected to the second diffusion region 2416. A gate 2424, such as a polysilicon gate, is separated from the channel region 2418 by a gate insulator region 2426. The illustrated memory cell includes a word line contact or gate contact connected to the gate 2424.

The body region 2412 of the illustrated FET device includes at least one charge trapping region. The illustrated charge trapping region includes a charge trapping layer 2430A formed along or proximate to at least a portion of an interface between the body region 2412 and the BOX layer 2406, and a sidewall charge trapping region 2430B formed along or proximate to at least a portion of at least one sidewall of the body region 2412. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand how to fabricate the sidewall charge trapping region along or proximate to a body region sidewall.

The location of the charge trapping region in the body region can be varied. In various embodiments, the location the charge trapping region is on or near the BOX-body interface. In other embodiments, the charge trapping region 130 is located elsewhere in the body region, including at or near at least a portion of at least one sidewall of the body region. The charge trapping region is positioned such that it will not interfere with conductance. For example, various embodiments of the present subject matter position the charge trapping region along a sidewall of the body region at a depth below approximately 50 Å from the surface. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that the charge trapping region can be designed to provide desired charge trapping characteristics using various materials and techniques.

Charges are generated in the FET due to impact ionization at the drain edge, which alters the floating body potential. In this embodiment a part of these charges are trapped by the charge trapping region in the body region. The trapped charges effect the threshold voltage (VT), and thus the channel conductance, of the FET. According to various embodiments, the source current (Is) of the FET is used to determine if charges are trapped in the body region, and thus is used to determine the logic state of the memory cell.

FIG. 24B illustrates the memory cell along line 24B—24B of FIG. 24A. A word line (WL) is illustrated over a number of body regions 2412 for a number of memory cells. The illustrated charge trapping region includes a charge trapping layer 2430A formed along or proximate to at least a portion of an interface between the body region 2412 and the BOX layer 2406, and a sidewall charge trapping region 2430B formed along at least a portion of the illustrated sidewalls of the body region 2412.

FIG. 24C illustrates a top view of the memory cell along line 24C—24C of FIG. 24 A. The illustration includes a word line (WL) intersected by a bit line (BL). The illustrated charge trapping region includes a sidewall charge trapping region 2430B formed along a first sidewall (illustrated in the figure on the right side of the body region), formed along a portion of a second sidewall (illustrated on the top of the figure) and formed along a portion of a third sidewall (illustrated on the bottom of the figure). Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 24A–24C, the sidewall charge trapping regions 2430B form a U-shape region surrounding the second diffusion region 2416 (e.g. source region), and the charge trapping layer 2430 forms a floor near the bottom of the body region.

One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that the memory cell can be designed with variously sized, shaped and positioned charge trapping regions. Thus, various embodiments include a sidewall charge trapping region without a charge trapping layer proximate to the BOX interface, various embodiments include a charge trapping layer proximate to the BOX interface without a sidewall charge trapping region, and various embodiments include a sidewall charge trapping region and a charge trapping layer proximate to the BOX interface. Various embodiments of a sidewall charge trapping region include a region along an entire sidewall of the body region, various embodiments of a sidewall charge trapping region include a region along a vertical and/or horizontal portion of a sidewall of a body region, and various embodiments of a sidewall charge trapping region include a region along at least a portion of two or more sidewalls of a body region. Various embodiments of a sidewall charge trapping region are formed at or proximate to an interface between the body region and the STI 2408.

CONCLUSION

The present subject matter relates to non-volatile SOI memory cells. The present subject matter exploits the floating body effect associated with SOI-FET devices. The memory cell includes charge trapping regions in the body region of a SOI-FET device. Charges generated by the floating body effect are stored in the charge trapping regions to provide a first memory state, and the stored charges are neutralized to provide a second memory state. The threshold voltage of the SOI-FET is affected by the stored charges. Thus the channel conductance is capable of being used to determine the state of the memory cell.

The present subject matter is capable of providing non-volatile memories. Memories according to the present subject matter are capable of maintaining data integrity for up to ten years without refresh. Additionally, the present subject matter is capable of providing non-volatile memories that can be written using the power supply voltage. Thus, the present subject matter does not require the complicated circuitry to generate and deliver 4 to 8 times the power supply voltage such as is required by Flash, EEPROM and the like. Additionally, the present subject matter is capable of providing memories with an effectively unlimited number of write-erase cycles during the system lifetime (10¹³ to 10¹⁴ write-erase cycles in 10 years). Additionally, the present subject matter is capable of providing memories that have fast read and write operations on the order of nanoseconds rather than milliseconds. Additionally, the present subject matter is capable of providing dense memories (4F²).

Previously, a specific memory type (DRAM, SRAM, ROM, Flash, and the like) was used in specific applications to provide the desired memory characteristics for the specific applications. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that in view of the above-identified capabilities in a single memory type, the present subject matter is capable of providing the desirable memory characteristics for an wide range of applications. Thus, the memory for systems that have a number of specific memory applications can be economically fabricated according to the present subject matter.

This disclosure includes several processes, circuit diagrams, and cell structures. The present subject matter is not limited to a particular process order or logical arrangement. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the present subject matter should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

1. A method for operating a non-volatile memory cell that includes a silicon-on-insulator field effect transistor that has a floating body region with a charge trapping region, the method comprising: writing the memory cell into a first memory state by trapping charges in the charge trapping region to provide the SOI-FET with a first threshold voltage, wherein writing the memory cell into a first memory state includes providing a negative word line pulse and a negative bit line pulse; writing the memory cell into a second memory state by neutralizing charges in the charge trapping region to provide the SOI-FET with a second threshold voltage, wherein writing the memory cell into a second memory state includes providing a positive word line pulse and a negative bit line pulse; and reading the memory cell using a channel conductance of the SOI-FET to determine a threshold voltage for the SOI-FET.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: writing the memory cell into a first memory state further includes providing a negative substrate pulse; and writing the memory cell into a second memory state further includes providing a positive substrate pulse.
 3. A method of operating a non-volatile memory cell that includes a silicon-on-insulator field effect transistor (SOI-FET) that has a floating body region with a floor charge trapping region along at least a portion of an interface between the body region and a buried oxide (BOX) layer, and at least one sidewall charge trapping region along at least one sidewall of the body region, the method comprising: writing the memory cell into a first memory state, including operating in a field effect transistor (FET) mode in which impact ionization generates excess charges within the floating body region, and trapping the excess charges in the floor and at least one sidewall charge trapping regions to provide the SOI-FET with a first threshold voltage; reading the memory cell using a channel conductance of the SOI-FET to determine a threshold voltage for the SOI-FET; and writing the memory cell into a second memory state, including forward biasing a diode formed between the floating body region and a first diffusion region in the SOI-FET to provide an opposite charge in the floating body region to neutralize the charges in the floor and at least one sidewall charge trapping regions and provide the SOI-FET with a second threshold voltage.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein operating in a field effect transistor (FET) mode includes operating the SOI-FET in saturation.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein writing the memory cell into a first memory state further includes applying an EMF field across the floating body region to influence the charges toward the charge trapping region.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the floor and at least one sidewall charge trapping region includes oxynitride.
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the floor and at least one sidewall charge trapping region includes silicon nitride (Si₃N₄).
 8. The method of claim 3, wherein the floor and at least one sidewall charge trapping region includes a silicon rich insulator (SRI).
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the SRI includes silicon-rich-oxide (SRO).
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the SRI includes silicon-rich-nitride (SRN).
 11. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one sidewall charge trapping region includes three sidewalls in a u-shaped configuration around a diffusion region without interfering with a channel region.
 12. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one sidewall charge trapping region includes three sidewalls in a u-shaped configuration around a diffusion region.
 13. A method of operating a non-volatile memory cell that includes a silicon-on-insulator n-channel field effect transistor (SOI-NFET) that has a floating body region with a floor oxynitride along at least a portion of an interface between the body region and a buried oxide (BOX) layer, and at least one sidewall oxynitride along at least one sidewall of the body region, the method comprising: writing the memory cell into a first memory state, including operating in a field effect transistor (FET) mode in which impact ionization generates excess holes within the floating body region, and trapping the excess charges in the floor and at least one sidewall oxynitride to provide the SOI-NFET with a first threshold voltage; reading the memory cell using a channel conductance of the SOI-NFET to determine a threshold voltage for the SOI-NFET; and writing the memory cell into a second memory state, including forward biasing a diode formed between the floating body region and a first diffusion region in the SOI-NFET to provide electrons in the floating body region to neutralize the holes in the floor and at least one sidewall oxynitride and provide the SOI-FET with a second threshold voltage.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein writing the memory cell into a first memory state further includes applying a negative substrate voltage to provide an EMF field across the floating body region to influence the holes toward the oxynitride.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein writing the memory cell into a second memory state includes applying a negative drain voltage pulse to forward bias a p-n+ junction create an excess negative charge in the body which drift toward and neutralizes holes stored in the oxynitride.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the oxynitride has a refractive index within a range of approximately 1.75 to 1.9.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the oxynitride has a refractive index within a range of approximately 1.8 to 1.9.
 18. A method of operating a non-volatile memory cell that includes a silicon-on-insulator n-channel field effect transistor (SOI-NFET) that has a floating body region with a floor silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) along at least a portion of an interface between the body region and a buried oxide (BOX) layer, and at least one sidewall silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) along at least one sidewall of the body region, the method comprising: writing the memory cell into a first memory state, including operating in a field effect transistor (PET) mode in which impact ionization generates excess holes within the floating body region, and trapping the excess charges in the floor and at least one sidewall silicon nitride to provide the SOI-NFET with a first threshold voltage; reading the memory cell using a channel conductance of the SOI-NFET to determine a threshold voltage for the SOI-NFET; and writing the memory cell into a second memory state, including forward biasing a diode formed between the floating body region and a first diffusion region in the SOI-NFET to provide electrons in the floating body region to neutralize the holes in the floor and at least one sidewall silicon nitride and provide the SOI-FET with a second threshold voltage.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein writing the memory cell into a first memory state further includes applying a negative substrate voltage to provide an EMF field across the floating body region to influence the holes toward the silicon nitride.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein writing the memory cell into a second memory state includes applying a negative drain voltage pulse to forward bias a p-n+ junction create an excess negative charge in the body which drift toward and neutralizes holes stored in the silicon nitride.
 21. A method of operating a non-volatile memory cell that includes a silicon-on-insulator field effect transistor (SOI-FET) that has a floating body region with a floor charge trapping region along at least a portion of an interface between the body region and a buried oxide (BOX) layer, and at least one sidewall charge trapping region along at least one sidewall of the body region, the method comprising: writing the memory cell into a first memory state, including operating in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) mode in which applied voltage pulses cause a parasitic BJT device to generate excess charges within the floating body region, and trapping the excess charges in the floor and at least one sidewall charge trapping region to provide the SOI-FET with a first threshold voltage; reading the memory cell using a channel conductance of the SOI-FET to determine a threshold voltage for the SOI-FET; and writing the memory cell into a second memory state, including forward biasing a diode formed between the floating body region and a first diffusion region in the SOI-FET to provide an opposite charge in the floating body region to neutralize the charges in the floor and at least one sidewall charge trapping region and provide the SOI-FET with a second threshold voltage.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the floor and at least one sidewall trapping region includes oxynitride.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the floor and at least one sidewall trapping region includes silicon nitride (Si₃N₄).
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the floor and at least one sidewall trapping region includes a silicon-rich-insulator (SRI).
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the SRI includes a silicon-rich-oxide (SRO).
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the SRI includes a silicon-rich-nitride (SRN).
 27. The method of claim 21, wherein writing the memory cell into a first memory state includes generating a first drift field to influence the excess charges to the floating body region and writing the memory cell into a second memory state includes generating a second drift field to influence the opposite charge to the floating body region.
 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one sidewall charge trapping region includes three sidewalls in a u-shaped configuration around a diffusion region.
 29. A method of operating a non-volatile memory cell that includes a silicon-on-insulator n-channel field effect transistor (SOI-NFET) that includes a parasitic NPN transistor and that has a floating body region with a floor oxynitride along at least a portion of an interface between the body region and a buried oxide (BOX) layer and at least one sidewall oxynitride along at least one sidewall of the body region, the method comprising: writing the memory cell into a first memory state, including operating in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) mode in which applied voltage pulses cause the parasitic BJT transistor to generate excess charges within the floating body region, and trapping the excess charges in the floor and at least one sidewall oxynitride to provide the SOI-NFET with a first threshold voltage; reading the memory cell using a channel conductance of the SOI-NFET to determine a threshold voltage for the SOI-NIFET; and writing the memory cell into a second memory state, including forward biasing a diode formed between the floating body region and a first diffusion region in the SOI-NFET to provide an opposite charge in the floating body region to neutralize the charges in the floor and at least one sidewall oxynitride and provide the SOI-NFET with a second threshold voltage.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein writing the memory cell into a first memory state includes applying a negative gate pulse and a negative drain pulse to forward bias a p-n+ junction and cause the NPN transistor to generate holes near a drain of the SOI-NFET, and applying a negative substrate pulse to influence the generated holes to the oxynitride.
 31. The method of claim 29, wherein writing the memory cell into a second memory state includes providing a negative drain pulse and a positive substrate pulse to bias a n+-p diode to generate electrons in the floating body region, and applying a vertical drift field to influence the generated electrons toward the oxynitride.
 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the oxynitride has a refractive index within a range of approximately 1.75 to approximately 1.9.
 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the oxynitride has a refractive index within a range of approximately 1.8 to approximately 1.9.
 34. A method of operating a non-volatile memory cell that includes a silicon-on-insulator n-channel field effect transistor (SOI-NFET) that includes a parasitic NPN transistor and that has a floating body region with a floor silicon nitride (Si₃O₄) along at least a portion of an interface between the body region and a buried oxide (BOX) layer and at least one sidewall silicon nitride (Si₃O₄) along at least one sidewall of the body region, the method comprising: writing the memory cell into a first memory state, including operating in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) mode in which applied voltage pulses cause the parasitic BJT transistor to generate excess charges within the floating body region, and trapping the excess charges in the floor and at least one sidewall silicon nitride to provide the SOI-NFET with a first threshold voltage; reading the memory cell using a channel conductance of the SOI-NFET to determine a threshold voltage for the SOI-NFET; and writing the memory cell into a second memory state, including forward biasing a diode formed between the floating body region and a first diffusion region in the SOI-NFET to provide an opposite charge in the floating body region to neutralize the charges in the floor and at least one sidewall silicon nitride and provide the SOI-NFET with a second threshold voltage.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein writing the memory cell into a first memory state includes applying a negative gate pulse and a negative drain pulse to forward bias a p-n+ junction and cause the NPN transistor to generate holes near a drain of the SOI-NFET, and applying a negative substrate pulse to influence the generated holes to the silicon nitride.
 36. The method of claim 34, wherein writing the memory cell into a second memory state includes providing a negative drain pulse and a positive substrate pulse to bias a n-p diode to generate electrons in the floating body region, and applying a vertical drift field to influence the generated electrons toward the silicon nitride. 